Patent GB-357987-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to automatic signalling devices for use in addressing and like printing machines
IPC: B41L47/58
Filed: 1930-06-30
Abstract: 357,987. Addressing-machines. ADDRESSOGRAPH, Ltd., Grange Road, Willesden Green, London, and ELEY, A., 8, Cecil Road, The Hyde, Hendon, Middlesex. June 30, 1930, No. 19878. [Class 100 (ii).] In an addressing or like printing-machine of the kind wherein impressions are taken from individual printing-devices fed separately and in succession through the machine, a mechanically actuated signalling-device is adapted during the actuation of the stamper-arm to be operated under the control of characteristics such as tabs associated with the printing-devices. Printing-plates 2, Fig. 1, are fed by the usual reciprocating slide mechanism actuated from a stamper-arm 3, and preferably the connection between the stamper-arm and the slide mechanism is controllable to permit of repeated impressions from the same plate or of consecutive printing. Each printing-plate 2 is provided with a tab situated in a particular lateral position, and each printing-plate is brought into an intermediate position as it leaves the magazine 4. In this intermediate position a bar 12, adapted to slide on vertical pillars and pressed upwardly by springs on the pillars, carries a slidable block 15 which may be clamped in any position across the bar 12. A projecting pin 17 on the underside of the block 15 is positioned so that on depression of the bar 12 the pin 17 would miss the end of the printing-plate 2 but would depress any overhanging tab immediately beneath. A rotary bell 6 mounted at the back of the machine is adapted to be actuated by pressing a plunger 7 at one end of a doublearmed lever 8 pivoted at 9 to a bracket 10. The other end of the lever 8 is adjacent the end of the pointing-plate 2 when in its intermediate position and is provided with a crosspiece 11 extending transversely of the guideway along which the printing- p'ates are fed. At each reciprocation of the arm 3, a flat surface 20 thereon engages the bar 12 and depresses it so that the pin 17 of the block 15 passes below the upper surface of the cross-piece 11. When the printing-plate has a tab b lying in the path of motion of the pin 17, the tab will be pressed on the cross-piece 11 of the lever 8 to rock the latter which operates the plunger 7 of the bell 6. This signal may denote that no impression is to be taken from the printing-plate in the intermediate position. In the hand-operated machine shown which is set for consecutive printing means such as a lever 30, provided with a rubber shoe 31, is pivoted to the arm 3 and is adapted to be moved into a position at right-angles to the arm 3 by depressing a plunger 32. As the arm 3 descends, the rubber shoe 31 encounters the bed of the m achine and prevents the pad 33 on the arm 3 from engaging with the printing-plate. Although no impression is taken the movement of the arm 3 actuates the slide mechanism to bring the next printing-plate into printing position. The bell is of the kind in which the clockwork driving- mechanism (not shown) is wound by rotating the gong 21, Fig. 4, and tends to drive the shaft 22 in a counterclockwise direction to transmit drive to a gear wheel 35 from a ratchet-wheel 24 fast on the shaft 22 through a spring-pressed pawl 23 engaging the ratchet-wheel 24 and fast to the gear wheel 35. The gear wheel 35 is loose on the shaft 22 and imparts the drive to a star wheel 26 actuating a hammer 27, gearing 28 being interposed to cause the hammer to be actuated with the desired rapidity. On the star wheel 26 near its periphery is a stop-pin 25 which normally abuts against a trip lever 29 controlled indirectly from the plunger 7. A leaf spring 34 passes through a slot in one end of the trip lever 29 and engages the top of the plunger 7, so that when the plunger 7 is urged inwardly the leaf spring 34 is deflected and the trip lever 29 rocked to disengage the pin 25 and thus release the bell mechanism. The bell continues to ring during a complete revolution of the star wheel 26, whereupon the pin 25 is again engaged by the trip lever 29.